GREENVILLE, Wis., April 21, 2026– School Specialized, a leading provider of learning environments and products to the pre-K-12 education market, is honored to reveal the five winners of its 12th annual Crystal Apple Awards in anticipation of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8). This award program is committed to highlighting educators who function as beacons of management, creativity and steadfast passion in their schools.
Each year, trainees, parents, administrators, instructors and community members nominate educators who reveal remarkable vision and commitment to their craft. From a pool of hundreds of entries, School Specialty chooses 16 finalists from which five grand prize winners are ultimately picked through a national public vote. Each winner is awarded an individualized prize, a $500 School Specialty product certificate for their classroom and a $250 certificate designated for school-wide resources.
The 2026 winners represent the gold standard of teaching, regularly exceeding and beyond to cultivate motivating and supportive learning areas. School Specialized is happy to celebrate the following individuals as this year’s winners:
- Donald P. Babiano, Tuscano Primary School– Phoenix, AZ
- Nyssa Grzyb, Joliet Central High School– Joliet, IL
- Quintarries Upshaw, Workman Intermediate School– Pensacola, FL
- Dana Harris, Bruning Grade School– Wilmington, IL
- Erin Andrade, Center for Advanced Research & Technology High School– Clovis, CA
“At School Specialty, we are privileged to support the important work of educators who share our mission of transforming student outcomes,” said Dr. Sue Ann Highland, National Education Strategist at School Specialized. “These people contribute in directing the next generation of students, and these awards allow us to give back to those who give a lot of themselves in the classroom every day.”
Finalists for the Crystal Apple Awards are likewise acknowledged with a $100 School Specialized merchandise certificate for their own use and a matching $100 certificate for their particular schools. This year’s finalists include:
- Meghan Schletty, North Shelby School– Shelby, NC
- Sally O’Donnell, Forest Elementary– Forest, VA
- Leah Shuck, West Allegheny High School– Imperial, PA
- Jessica Ossen, A.I. Prince Technical High School– Hartford, CT
- Seretta Davis, Carver STEM Academy– Detroit, MI
- Charles Fanning, Heritage High School– Maryville, TN
- Dr. Keavon Runnels, Stephen F. Austin High School– Houston, TX
- Katya Riley, Velocity Academies– Las Vegas, NV
- Dona Esplund, Minneola Elementary School– Minneola, KS
To read more about this year’s winners and finalists, go to https://www.schoolspecialty.com/crystal-apple.
About School Specialized, LLC
With a 60-year tradition, School Specialized is a leading supplier of detailed knowing environment solutions for the pre-K– 12 education market in the U.S. and Canada. This includes important class supplies, furnishings and style services, academic technology, sensory areas including Snoezelen ®, science curriculum, learning resources, professional development, and more. School Specialized thinks every student can thrive in an environment where they are engaged and influenced to learn and grow. In support of this vision to change more than class, the business uses its unequaled group of subject-matter experts and styles, makes, and distributes a broad selection of name-brand and proprietary products. For additional information, go to SchoolSpecialty.com.
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